Lockdown could force Group 11 grand final back to late October

The Group 11 board met on Sunday night and confirmed they will do everything they can to complete the season in its current format despite COVID cases spreading further around the western area.

The total number of cases in the Western Local Health District (LHD) reached peaks on Monday, but "everything is on the table" for Group 11 as it aims to play finals this year.

"The board is committed to finishing the competition with a five-teams semi-finals series. That's subject to health regulations and ground availability," Group 11 president Bob Walsh said.

A meeting with all clubs will likely be held next Sunday and all options will be discussed there.

Nothing is being ruled out at this stage and while the board will do all it can to keep the five-team finals, Walsh said a straight one-versus-two in the grand final in each grade would be considered should lockdown continue.

The last weekend in October would be as far as Group 11 is willing to go to complete the competition and if it comes to that it does have its own issues.

Weather is one as it is expected to be far warmer by that time of the year, while the availability of grounds and players would have to be examined.

Many players across the region also play summer sports while a large amount of league tag players are currently scheduled to be involved in the Western Women's Rugby League tackle competition at that time.

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While aware of the impact the competition can have, Walsh said "we've got to think of Group 11 first".

"We want to make it a five-team finals," he reiterated.

"I've said before but there's a duty of care to the players, we wouldn't play for two weeks after they're allowed to train and we'd possibly look at night semi-finals and grand finals if the weather got too hot.

"There's not only just the health aspect, there's a number of scenarios and things our decision will impact."

The current lockdown in regional NSW is scheduled to end on Sunday but there's every chance the restrictions could remain, especially in the western area.

"We can't make a decision until we know what's going on and the numbers keep increasing and the number of towns keep increasing and that's a worry," Walsh added.

Whenever the lockdown ends, any potential restrictions in place after are also unclear.

Walsh said "at this stage" he would have finals played even if they were to be played in front of a limited crowd number but said prizemoney would have to be examined if that was the case as that comes from gate takings.

While the uncertainty remains, Walsh said it was pleasing to see everyone keen to see the season come to some kind of conclusion.

"I've spoken to clubs and they're all keen to go. They've worked hard for the season and it's cruel if they don't get to play a semi-finals series," he said.

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